Instrument Cluster / Carrier: Description and Operation

Instrument Panel Description

Cigar Lighter

The cigar lighter is located in the front portion of the floor console. To use the lighter, push it in completely. When the lighter is hot, it will release itself from contact with the heating element. The lighter and the heating element can be damaged if the lighter is not allowed to release itself fully from the heating element.

Ashtray

The ashtray is located below the audio system. To access the ashtray, pull it out from the center console. The ashtray lamp will go ON when the parking lamps or the headlamps are turned ON.

Instrument Panel Vents

The center and the side vents in the instrument panel can be adjusted up and down and from side to side. The side vents can also be aimed toward the side windows in order to defog them.

Glove Box

The glove box can be opened by pulling up on the latch handle. The glove box must be removed in order to gain access to the passenger's side air bag module.

Digital Clock

The digital clock is located in the instrument panel, above the audio system. The clock is capable of a 12-hour or a 24-hour display.

Instrument Cluster

The instrument cluster is located above the steering column and in the instrument cluster trim panel. The instrument cluster contains the instruments that provide the driver with vehicle performance information. The instrument cluster contains a speedometer, an odometer, a trip odometer, a temperature gauge, a fuel gauge, and several indicator lamps.

Speedometer/Odometer/Trip Odometer

The speedometer measures the speed of the vehicle in km/h (mph). It consists of an instrument cluster gauge connected to the vehicle speed sensor (VSS) on the transaxle output shaft.

The odometer measures in kilometers (miles) the total distance the vehicle has traveled since it was manufactured. It consists of an instrument cluster gauge connected to the VSS on the transaxle output shaft.

The trip odometer measures the distance the vehicle has traveled since the odometer was last reset. It consists of an instrument cluster gauge connected to the VSS on the transaxle output shaft. The trip odometer can be reset to zero at any time so that the driver can record the distance traveled from any starting point.

Fuel Gage

The fuel gauge consists of an instrument cluster gauge connected to a sending unit in the fuel tank.

The fuel gauge indicates the quantity of fuel in the tank only when the ignition switch is turned to ON or ACC. When the ignition is turned to LOCK or START, the pointer may come to rest at any position.

Low Fuel Indicator

The low fuel level indicator consists of a low fuel level sensor which is directly connected to the low fuel warning lamp in the IPC. When the fuel level goes down below the low fuel level sensor the sensor resistance falls turning the low fuel lamp ON. When the fuel tank is filled, the low fuel warning lamp turns OFF.

Temperature Gage

The temperature gauge consists of an instrument cluster gauge connected to a temperature sensor that is in contact with the circulating engine coolant.

The temperature gauge indicates the temperature of the coolant. Prolonged driving or idling in very hot weather may cause the pointer to move beyond the center of the gauge. The engine is overheating if the pointer moves into the red zone at the upper limit of the gauge.

Low Oil Pressure Indicator

The engine oil pressure switch is a normally closed switch that opens with the proper oil pressure. With the ignition switch turned ON and the engine not running, ignition voltage is supplied to the oil pressure indicator, the oil pressure switch will be closed and the indicator will be grounded. With the engine running, the pressure switch opens and the indicator will turn off.

Instrument Cluster Indicator Lamps

The instrument cluster contains indicator lamps that indicate the function of certain systems or the existence of potential problems with the operation of the vehicle. The indicator lamps are replaceable. Some bulbs are replaceable, refer to Instrument Cluster Bulb Replacement (Notchback) (Service and Repair).

Smart Junction Box

Because the conventional electric systems, in which simple timers, relays and individual control units are used, have separate circuits for each system, they require a lot of components as well as complex wiring. The Smart Junction Box (SJB) integrates all these type of complex units.